Regardless of your political views on the war in the Middle East, I believe we can all agree that the men and women who serve in our country's armed forces are courageous patriots and deserve the full support of those who they defend.

How can we as pet people help out the brave soldiers who have vowed to protect us? Consider fostering an animal for armed forces personnel serving overseas. Soldiers who have human families may be lucky enough to find that a caring relative will offer a place to live for a beloved pet while the soldier serves on active duty. Others are not so lucky, having no human family or no family members who are able/willing to bring one or more dogs and/or cats into their homes. These soldiers find themselves facing an incredibly difficult decision - what happens to a soldier's dog when he leaves for Iraq?

It is difficult enough to leave one's home for dangerous combat half a world a way. The world each soldier is entering into is foreign and dangerous, and each must say goodbye to the things that make his country worth defending - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For those of us who share our lives with animals, it is difficult to imagine how happiness can be pursued without them, and they are certainly a vital part of our lives. It is no different for the men and women in our armed forces. Many are placed into situations where the only apparent alternative is to turn their furry best friends over to an animal shelter. Most will pray that their dog finds a new family. Many of these prayers will go unanswered, and the dogs and cats of heroes end up as statistics; one of faceless millions who travels to the Rainbow Bridge at the end of a needle, victims of the devastation that is pet overpopulation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP What can you do to help these men and women? Consider opening your home as a foster home for a serviceman and servicewoman's companion animal. There are wonderful organizations which specialize specifically in finding foster homes for the pets (dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and a variety of other species) of military employees serving active duty.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOSTER PARENTS
Do you have the room to bring another dog, cat, horse, chicken, or sheep into your life?

Do you have the finances? These organizations are volunteer run and are charitable organizations - you will likely be responsible for the veterinary bills, food, and other expenses associated with the animal's care while it lives in your home.

Concerned about how to introduce your foster pet to your existing household pets? If you need a little guidance, do not hesitate to ask a behavioral professional for help (www.greatdogtrainers.com).

IF YOU CANNOT FOSTER, DONATE OR VOLUNTEER! You may not be able to foster for whatever reason, but that doesn't mean you are unable to help the effort. Both organizations accept tax-deductible donations on their websites.

Alternatively, if you have a well-visited website, consider writing an article about these programs, or post one of the organizations' banners on your websites to bring much-needed recognition to the plight of military pets needing foster homes.

If you are already involved with rescues, Operation Noble Foster offers the following link for tips on how you can help both with military cat rescue and provides contact information for individuals who can help if your rescue accepts other species of pets.

IF YOU ARE A SERVICEMAN OR SERVICEWOMEN LOOKING FOR A FOSTER HOME FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND First, let me extend a heartfelt and deep gratitude to you for your willingness to sacrifice, putting it all on the line, to defend a nation who you believe in. One sacrifice I hope none of you will ever have to make is that of a safe homecoming, welcomed warmly by those you love the most; those who have whispered countless prayers in your name during your absence, and those whose tails may have wagged less since you departed. All of you deserve to come home to the same thumping tail wag or enthusiastic kitty "mrao" that you left behind when you responded to the call of duty.

FINDING A FOSTER HOME FOR YOUR MILITARY KITTY Here is Operation Noble Foster's Basic Information for Military Personnel. From their website, you can also find suggested foster contracts (which can be modified to suit the needs of both soldier and foster parent). You will be able to view applications from potential foster parents, contact references, ask any questions you might have to find the right home for your cat. While you are keeping your country safe, a kitty owner with a big heart might just open her home and keep your cat safe in return - contact Operation Noble Foster today to explore foster homes and opportunities for your favorite feline.

FINDING A FOSTER HOME FOR ALL OTHER MILITARY PETS If you are a soldier looking for a foster home for your pets (and you do not have kitties), visit the home page for MilitaryPetsFOSTER Project and scroll down until you see the application for military personnel.

What can I say? You are my kitty soul mate. I've never, ever enjoyed the presence of a cat as much as I've enjoyed yours. Countless hours, playing video games together, cuddling for naps, hanging out and loving in front of the fireplace.

When I first rescued you, what sad shape you were in. So scared, and not sure how to be in a house. You were once the epitome of a scaredy cat. The change in you is breathtaking. Now, instead of being afraid, you soak up love like it was sunshine (or chicken baby food, I know you love that stuff).

You make me smile and laugh...you're like my security blanket. Whenever I'm sad, I find myself needing you. I've noticed this habit of yours, and that your limp seems to get worse when new people or lovely ladies are in the house. Your slyness and love for women of all shapes, ages, and sizes (and men too, for that matter), truly makes you a ladies man.

This lady is proud to call you her little man. I don't know if I'll ever be able to breathe again when we can't be together any more.

Ah, my friends. My heart is soaring...I have met the loveliest of ladies. Nefertiti, my sweet darling! I'm sure that most of you are aware I have not been the first to swoon at the sight of her royal loveliness...she draws upon the admirations of thousands of pals!

However, I am the lucky victor! I have succeeded in my quest to find and woo the love of such a wonderful lass!

And now, I'll allow myself the distinct priviledge of serenading my sweet lass, with a song by one of me mum's favorite bands...The Cure:

*clears throat*

We move like cagey tigers
We couldn't get closer than this
The way we walk
The way we talk
The way we stalk
The way we kiss
We slip through the streets
While everyone sleeps
Getting bigger and sleeker
And wider and brighter
We bite and scratch and scream all night
Let's go and throw
All the songs we know...

Into the sea
You and me
All these years and no one heard
I'll show you in spring
It's a treacherous thing
We missed you hissed the lovecats

We're so wonderfully wonderfully wonderfully
Wonderfully pretty!
Oh you know that I'd do anything for you...
We should have each other to tea huh?
We should have each other with cream
Then curl up by the fire
And sleep for awhile
It's the grooviest thing
It's the perfect dream

Into the sea
You and me
All these years and no one heard
I'll show you in spring
It's a treacherous thing
We missed you hissed the lovecats

We're so wonderfully wonderfully wonderfully
Wonderfully pretty!
Oh you know that I'd do anything for you...
We should have each other to dinner huh?
We should have each other with cream
Then curl up in the fire
Get up for awhile
It's the grooviest thing
It's the perfect dream

Hand in hand
Is the only way to land
And always the right way round
Not broken in pieces
Like hated little meeces...
How could we miss
Someone as dumb* as this?

I love you... let's go...
Oh... solid gone...
How could we miss
Someone as dumb* as this?